How Aston Villa could yet sign Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea

Aston Villa could still realise a move to sign Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea.

The Senegal international has long been a target for the Villans.

A reunion with Unai Emery has always seemingly been on the cards without ever going through.

There have been links to the 25-year-old at Villa Park this season, but was seemingly impossible.

Having sold Morgan Rogers to the Blues earlier in the summer, Villa could have had the profit of that deal shattered if they sign a player from Stamford Bridge within 45 days.

That seemed to halt the potential of a move for Jackson, but it could still materialise in B6.

Morgan Rogers secret could benefit Aston Villa

There is a 45-day trade rule within UEFA regulations that is hampering Unai Emery's side right now.

Should a player move from Chelsea to Villa right now, the European regulators would deem it a swap deal.

That would see the profit of the deal to sell Rogers be negated somewhat as UEFA would then place what they deem "market value" on the England international.

The attacking midfielder announced as a new signing at Stamford Bridge on 21 July, meaning 45 days later would be 4 September, three days after the window slams shut.

There may be a way around this for Villa.

If a move was on the cards throughout the summer, Rogers may have actually been registered by Chelsea on 18 July or earlier so that a late move for Jackson could become compliant.

If that was the case 45 days from 18 July would mark 1 September which is deadline day.

That could afford a last-gasp move for the Senegalese star to go through as interest remains on the table in B6.

Do Aston Villa still want Jackson from Chelsea?

There is no hiding from the fact that Emery wants to link up with the ex-Villarreal man again.

That would make total sense for the Villans as they look to bolster their attacking options before the window ends.

If a deal can be done, as described above, it would hinge on Villa to push it over the line.

Fabrizio Romano reported on Friday that Villa are still keen to sign Jackson and have been for 12 months.

The option remains on the table should Ollie Watkins depart.

Work is going on at Chelsea to find a route away for the forward, but a forward-thinking play could have already been utilised in B6.